Interreligious dialogue ends on positive note: ‘not a strategy. It must become a
way of life!’
Rome, March 20, 2014: "Together towards the unity of the human family": This is the
title of the Inter- religious meeting that closes today at Castel Gandolfo. The session,
which brought together 220 members of various religions from 31 nations, opened on
March 17. Organized by the Focolare Movement, it marked the sixth anniversary of
the death of Chiara Lubich (Italian Catholic activist and leader and founder of the
Focolare Movement) and aims to share the fruits of more than 40 years of encounter
between Christians and representatives of the great religions: Jews, Muslims, Buddhists,
Hindus, Sikhs and Shinto.
In the past mainly bilateral meetings, symposia and
events were organized: Christian - Muslim, Christian - Hindu, etc ... However for
the first time ever, the decision was taken to widen the scope of the meeting and
shared experiences. As one speaker said: "In Japan or Thailand, for example, not much
is known about the dialogue that is taking place between Christians and Jews. And
it may be a surprise for many Muslims to find out what is happening in dialogue with
Buddhism and with Hinduism".
Therefore, it was a great treasure, a true gift
from God, to establish new relationships and new friendships among participants and
find out about the forms dialogue is taking in various parts of the world.
Following
the desire for a fruitful dialogue expressed by Larry Yu- yuan Wang, Ambassador of
the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See, Father Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot,
Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, spoke about how dialogue
has evolved since the Second Vatican Council and the different emphases of the Popes
in recent decades.
John Paul II emphasized the importance of dialogue as a
tool to build peace. Benedict XVI often recalled the importance of a dialogue in truth,
orientated towards charity, to work together for the poorest. With Pope Francis, the
emphasis is instead on a dialogue that is based on personal friendship and which does
not hide the truth of who we are and what we believe.
There were then the activities
of members of the various religions: Buddhists representatives shared their journey
with Christians emphasizing the key concepts of mercy, of emptying oneself, dying
to oneself in order to love others and to be fully, truly merciful and the concept
of living fully in the present. Those involved in Hindu - Christian dialogue pointed
out how it has the form of a common social commitment for the poor and for the out-caste
with many shared commitments especially in education.
Religions were often
accused of being irrelevant or an impediment to social change or in some cases they
were caste aside and restricted to the purely ritualistic and functional sphere. Instead,
the challenge is to show that faith and life are inseparable. One speaker said: "The
more one loves and trusts in God, the more one loves and trusts mankind. The more
one loves and trusts in mankind, the more one loves and trusts in God".
A greater
freedom of speech emerged in the development of Jewish-Christian dialogue in a debate
and collaboration that heretofore was marked by strong prejudices. Finally, in dialogue
with Muslims the importance of being a sign of unity and fraternity was underscored,
especially in those contexts (such as in the Holy Land), where political and cultural
reasons create clashes and divisions. Being children of the same God is far more important
than cultural and political divisions.
During this meeting it was often stated
that dialogue is a risk and often faced with many obstacles. But it is a risk worth
running. Dialogue, when carried out in truth and with humility, changes us and makes
us delve deeper into our respective religious traditions. It makes us appreciate diversity
and helps us to cooperate so that the world is more humane. Several participants agreed
that dialogue is not a means to obtaining something, it is not a strategy. It must
become a way of life!